THE ACE-SHIN ENGLISH BLOG : Tjok

Tjok in May just after his rescue

Tjok with his adoring rescuers in May - already on the road to happiness

In her diary on 13th May, Fabienne told us Tjok's story. A Spanish man had found him by the side of the road, hopeless and weak unable even to stand. The man brought him to the Refugio saying "If you don't want him, show me the way to the killing station." So easy for him to say without a moment's thought. Of course there was no question of not taking Tjok but he was a sick, neglected soul. So dehydrated he had to be put on a drip then and there. He couldn't eat, his skin was affected and his eyes inflamed. He was in a terrible condition.

There were some Belgian volunteers at the Refugio and the minute they saw this heap of misery they fell in love and took him off with them for a few days. They tried to cheer the poor old dog up, to keep him warm. Within days he was already a different creature. He wouldn't leave their side. At the time Fabienne wrote in her diary "Slowly he will succeed in getting better and hopefully he will find a boss where he will be respected and spoilt."

Her wish came true. He found his loving home, a family who had already adopted another A.C.E. dog, Amber. Amber had come from the killing station, a skinny fearful dog, and no wonder after her horrible experience. She stayed at the Refugio for a long time before being adopted. Tjok and Amber's loving adopters write ...

Dear Volunteers of Ace,

It's been a week and a half that Tjok with us now, and time for a short update.
From the outset Tjok was a fantastic and easy dog. Nice to walk with because he doesn't pull on the leash, cosy as we are all together and happy when we get home. Exactly what we actually hoped for, and it makes perfect sense that all volunteers have come to love him. We heve been with him at the vet and it looks like he will be on diet to save his kidneys, as the result of the laboratory is ready we know how strong that will be. He has gained some weight, it seems that he has become 800 grams heavier but that can also be water. We feel that the very bony is a bit disappearing, but there are still a few pounds to put on his body.

With Amber it is fine too, but she has to get used to sharing us and the house with another dog. What continues to amaze us is the trouble she has to enter an house, she has apparently been so used to living outside that she finds it scary to cross the threshold.
The two dogs together can get along with each other. Amber is trying to approach Tjok, who is not very responsive. But, together on a bed, or in the back of our car, or along with me in the citybus to work, that is all fine. We will not be able to make another photo of the two dogs on the bed, we exchange the large bed for two little ones. When we put them together on the bed it is fine, but every dog is going to prefer to lie completely in the middle and then the other is reluctant to claim his place.

Without doubt there will follow another message out of Arnhem, from two happy dog-adopters

Kind regards

Geert Borkus